BUHI Trolley CirculaTour Continues

INSIDE
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016
VOLUME 17 • NO. 5
Official Newsletter of Chamblee, Georgia
2
3
13
17
18
21
City Awarded $44K Grant
from Georgia DOT
Message from Police Chief
West Nile Virus
Noticias en Español
Taste of Chamblee
Chamblee Calendars
chambleega.gov
BUHI Trolley
CirculaTour
Continues
Two Tours Remain:
Sept. 10 and 24
B
UHI CIRC, the Buford Highway CirculaTour, showcases
the highway’s cuisines and
connectivity and encourages
visitors to take public transportation and seek support for a Buford
Highway area circulator, or shuttle,
whether a bus, trolley, or streetcar.
Tours were conducted in July and
August and will continue Sept. 10
and 24, 2-5 p.m. Attendees will enjoy
opportunities to meet and talk with
business owners and employees.
Tickets include a guided trolley ride
and food samples from each shop.
Additional food and beverages may
be purchased separately. Tickets for
each tour go on sale a week prior to
the event at welovebuhi.com. Restrooms are available at each stop.
The July tour began at Hello Gorgeous Boutique and Café, a clothing
and accessories store and casual café,
3400 Malone Dr., a short walk from
the Chamblee MARTA Station. The
tour featured desserts and beverages
at Hello Gorgeous; White Windmill
see BUHI CIRCULATOUR page 16
City News
City Receives $44K Grant
from Georgia Department of
Transportation
T
he Georgia Department of Transportation
(Georgia DOT) has awarded the City of Chamblee a Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) grant of $44,445. This
grant is for beautification of the area around the city’s
monument sign on Peachtree Boulevard.
Georgia DOT also awarded $600,666 in REBC
grants in 2016 that will be used for enhancement and
beautification projects along Georgia’s state routes.
Since 2008, Georgia DOT has awarded 143 REBC
grants totaling more than $5.5 million to local governments and civic groups throughout Georgia. The
program uses revenue from permit fees paid to Georgia DOT by outdoor advertising
companies for vegetation removal in front of outdoor advertising signs. Funds from the
grants are allocated toward purchasing and installing plant material along state routes.
Any organization, local government, or state agency may apply for a grant of up to
$50,000 for landscape enhancement of the state right-of-way that involves the local
community and displays the area in an attractive manner. Awarded funds may be used
for landscape plant material, sod, topsoil, mulch and labor costs. A local commitment to
long-term maintenance is also required. The REBC encourages the use of Georgia-grown
materials for projects.
Mural Artist Michael Jones Selected
After public input, the Chamblee Main Street Program and
Downtown Development Authority selected Michael Jones as the
artist for the proposed mural on
Peachtree Road. There will be public meetings this fall to engage the
community in assisting the artist
with mural design. Installation will
begin once the design is set, subject
to MARTA review.
This location was identified in
the Chamblee Renaissance Plan
as a key gateway into downtown
Chamblee. Adding vibrant art
to drab spaces is an opportunity
to highlight cultural and historic
themes in the community while
creating memorable landmarks.
Chamblee is working with its partners to identify other opportunities
for public art throughout the city.
2 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
City of Chamblee
5468 Peachtree Rd.
Chamblee, GA 30341
770-986-5010
Fax: 770-986-5014
chambleega.gov
City Council
Mayor........................................ R. Eric Clarkson
District 1........................................... John Mesa
District 2................................ Leslie C. Robson
District 3 ...........................Thomas S. Hogan II
At-large.....................................Darron Kusman
At-large.............................................Brian Mock
City Staff
Interim City Administrator ......... Jon Walker
Chief of Police ........................Donny Williams
City Clerk ........................Emmie Niethammer
Economic Development.........Adam Causey
Finance Director ............................Travis Sims
Parks & Recreation...................Chris Madden
Public Works ....................Reginald Anderson
Contact Information
City Hall.................................... 770-986-5010
Public Works/
Animal Control........................ 770-986-5019
Development.......................... 770-986-5024
Parks & Recreation............... 770-986-5016
Police Department............... 770-986-5005
Municipal Court..................... 770-986-5004
Code Enforcement................770-986-5005
[email protected]
Police Emergency ....................................... 911
The Signal is the official publication of the
City of Chamblee. It provides the citizens of
Chamblee with timely information on events,
activities and news related to the city.
Murals by artist Michael Jones.
See more at letter75.com
GOT NEWS? Send press releases,
announcements and other materials for
consideration to [email protected].
All material provided is subject to editing.
Police and Community Relationships
A Message from the
Police Chief
O
ver the July 8 weekend, large and unprecedented numbers of families came by the
Chamblee Police Department offering
support to the officers. This was not only
in the form of snacks and lunches, but also in
words of overwhelming compassion and support
that were much appreciated.
Our officers came to work that weekend with heavy hearts for our brothers and
sisters in Dallas, along with a desire to protect our citizens during difficult times.
Relationships between the police and the communities we serve are crucial not only in
combating crime but also in forging ahead to maintain a safe and thriving community.
We strongly believe these partnerships will continue to strengthen our ties with the
residents we proudly serve.
What’s on the horizon? Chamblee is a participant in an innovative program being
launched in metro Atlanta called One Congregation One Precinct. The mission is to
join the various resources of faith-based institutions with law enforcement agencies to
enhance public safety and police-community relations. We joined fellow law enforcement agencies and clergy downtown to work out the details of this program. I am excited about this partnership and the possibility of building trust by partnering officers
with faith institutions.
National Night Out, held in August, had an even greater significance this year with
an opportunity to promote positive police-community interactions and safer neighborhoods. Eight of our neighborhoods participated.
It takes the entire community, in which everyone takes part, because public safety is
everyone’s business.
– Police Chief Donny Williams
National Night Out
Building Unity,
Cooperation, Trust
and Understanding
National Night Out, an event to foster police and community relations, is celebrated
annually nationwide on the first Tuesday
in August. This year several Chamblee
communities hosted events and enjoyed
food and fellowship with our officers. This
event is an excellent way to meet your
neighbors and discuss issues with the officers serving your community.
More than a dozen Chamblee officers
visited the many neighborhood events
throughout the city and spent time
meeting neighbors and listening to their
concerns. As usual, it was a lovely time for
both officers and residents!
If you would like to host a get-together next August, contact officer Chris
Poythress, [email protected].
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 3
City News
Hello to New and
Returning Employees
Jesse Bloodworth
Public Works (rehire)
Christopher Franklin
Public Works
Chamblee High School Streetscape Out for Bid
The city has released a request for proposals for the construction of a streetscape and
intersection improvements along Chamblee Dunwoody Road, beginning at Harts Mill
Road and ending at Peachtree Boulevard in Chamblee. The design includes a better decorative fence with an enhanced crosswalk that will be signalized and lined.
Chamblee’s project managers met with Chamblee High School officials to discuss the
design and the timeline of the project. It is the city’s intent to cause the least amount of
disruption to the school year and its activities as well as only affect one school year.
Construction is expected to begin in late November and the city was given a detailed
list of dates that construction would need to work around. The construction is expected
to be a nine-month project; therefore, the school should have a beautiful and safe
streetscape by the beginning of the 2017 school year.
Goodbye to Officer Davis
A Career of Faithful Service
Angel Hidalgo
Police Department
Ronald House
Police Department
Carissa Paris
Kevin Tucker
911 Communications Public Works
Sidney Wilder
Public Works
4 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
James Witherspoon
Public Works
The Chamblee Police Department will soon say goodbye to one of our favorite officers, Sgt. JJ Davis. Davis is
retiring for the second time and looks forward to spending time working on cars and training dogs. He also
plans to travel overseas on vacation.
Davis first served his country as a United States Marine
from 1969 to 1972. He was a motor officer and was
stationed at Okinawa and at Da Nang Airbase in Vietnam. After leaving the service, JJ returned to his home in
Chicago where he attended barber school and became an
accomplished barber. He brought his barber skills to Atlanta where he styled and cut hair for several prominent
Atlanta and DeKalb residents.
One of those distinguished clients was the late Captain Derwin Brown. Captain Brown
persuaded JJ to join the DeKalb County Police Department and that is how he began his law
enforcement career.
Davis began his career with DeKalb PD in 1986. After a few years on patrol he joined the
narcotics unit. He grew out his beard, let his hair go, and traveled all over the worst areas of
DeKalb buying narcotics undercover. He was recruited to the SWAT team in 1995 and soon
found his niche as a K9 officer and trainer. He worked with four different working dogs in
his career and was involved in countless drug busts and felony apprehensions.
During his 11 years on the SWAT team Davis received numerous commendations and
awards. He spent his last few years with DeKalb handling taxi permits and was admired by
the drivers as being strict but fair. He retired in 2009 after serving the citizens of DeKalb
County for 24 years but only stayed retired for three months.
Davis was recruited to take over Chamblee’s Code Enforcement unit. He was already well
known to the Chamblee Police Department because he lived in the city and had assisted the
department with his K9s. As Chamblee expanded, the unit grew from just him to currently
five officers. Code Enforcement was one of the reasons areas outside the city limits twice
voted to be annexed into Chamblee.
Sgt. Davis has a personable way about him that allows him to confront a property owner
about a violation, while doing it in such a kind way that no feelings are hurt. His contributions to our city are truly appreciated and his record of public service is exemplary. We wish
him the best in all his future endeavors!
Gang Investigator Alex Cushenan
Outstanding Employee of the 2nd Quarter
A
lex Cushenan began his
career with the Chamblee Police Department
in September 2011. He
was briefly assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division but rapidly
moved up the ranks and was
promoted to detective in 2014.
He made an immediate impact
in the Criminal Investigative
Division and has distinguished
himself as a superb gang investigator. He was selected as the
Chamblee Police Department
Employee of the Quarter for his
achievements in gang investigations.
In June, while conducting
undercover operations, Cushenan observed
three known gang members walking along
Plaster Road. From previous investigations,
Alex knew that one of the gang members
had outstanding warrants for armed robbery and aggravated assault. He followed
them for a short distance and noticed that
two of them were armed with handguns.
He contacted takedown units and the three
gang members were arrested after a short
foot chase. Two handguns were recovered
and the gang members were arrested on
various charges (including violation of the
them crucial information about
a known gang member wanted
for murder, which led to the arrest of that gang member.
In July, Cushenan attended
the annual Georgia Gang Investigators Association (GGIA)
conference in Augusta where he
shared his knowledge related to
gangs with fellow gang investigators from all over Georgia.
It was at the GGIA conference that Alex was selected to
Chief Williams and Assistant Chief Beller
represent the State of Georgia at
present Cushenan with his award.
the National Gang Investigators
Conference in Chicago.
Alex’s interaction with the
Georgia Controlled Substances Act, weapcommunity and fellow gang
ons violations and obstruction).
investigators, and his great rapport with
Later the same day, Investigator Cushgang members have quickly made him the
enan followed up on a lead regarding the
resident expert in gang-related matters. His
whereabouts of another gang member
gang knowledge and expertise are constantwanted on an outstanding armed robbery
ly being sought out by members of local
warrant. Cushenan located the wanted
and federal law enforcement agencies.
gang member and arrested him without
Investigator Cushenan concentrates his
incident. That same gang member was
efforts on making Chamblee a safer coma suspect in several violent felonies in
munity in which to live. His outstanding
Brookhaven and DeKalb County.
service and dedication are to be comIn June, Cushenan received a letter of
mended.
commendation from the DeKalb County
Good job, Alex!
Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Squad for providing
Tough Cops Win Gold
Three Chamblee police officers participated in Georgia’s Toughest Cop
Competition in June as part of the Georgia Police and Fire Games in
Carrollton. All three – Valerian Khoshtariya, Mike Beller, and Dylan
Calvin – won gold medals in their respective age groups. Assistant
Chief Beller won overall and beat officer Khoshtariya by three seconds.
Khostariya was the winner in 2015.
The next day officer Khoshtariya competed in Bullseye and Combat
Shoot competitions. He won first overall in the Combat Shoot and
second in the Bullseye.
The Police and Fire Games are Olympics-style athletic competitions that began in the
1960s. They gradually spread nationally and are among the most physically and mentally
challenging competitive events for law officers in this country. The Georgia Police and Fire
Games were formed in Carrollton in 1984. The games will move to Dalton next year.
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 5
City News
Council Member Receives Certificate of Excellence
Chamblee Councilmember Thomas S. Hogan II received the prestigious
Certificate of Excellence from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute at the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) 83rd annual convention
in Savannah in June.
The Georgia Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of GMA
and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government,
provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for elected
city officials. To receive a Certificate of Excellence, an official must complete a minimum of 120 units of credit, including at least 54 hours from the
required list and the Robert E. Knox Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. The
training program consists of a series of more than 50 courses.
“This is an outstanding achievement,” said GMA Executive Director
Lamar Norton. “We commend Councilmember Hogan for this accomplishment and for the dedication he’s shown in using this valuable resource to
become a more effective city official.”
Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary nonprofit organization that provides legislative advocacy, research, training, and employee benefit and
technical consulting services to more than 520 member cities.
Tax Rate Maintained
In July, following three public hearings, the
city council voted unanimously to maintain a tax rate of 6.40 mils for 2016. The
decision was made after serious discussion
in which reducing the rate was weighed
against the need for capital improvements
Chamblee has recently committed to
significant capital improvement projects that will improve
the quality of life for
residents. These projects include allocating $500,000 for new
sidewalks, $1.7 million
for road paving, and a
soon-to-be-released
Parks Master Plan that includes recommendations on capital improvements to
recreational land and facilities. These are
long-term efforts.
In addition to these capital plans, city
property tax revenues were 3 percent less
than projected in fiscal year 2016. Staff has
adjusted the revenue projection based on
this information. Based on the adjusted
revenue projection and the capital project
programming, staff recommends that the
millage rate remain the same as last year.
tax
rate
6.40
mils
6 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
Development 101 Continues
The Chamblee Development Department is working to educate residents and business
owners on permitting, code enforcement, and zoning. The Development 101 classes
began in August with an overview of the Unified Development Ordinance. Classes will
continue into December and participants can choose which classes they would like to
take, based on their interests.
The classes are free and open to anyone who wants
to take them, though spaces are limited and will be
filled on a first-come, first-served basis. So sign up
online for the classes you are interested in at chambleega.gov/registerdev101. The upcoming classes are:
Sept. 13 • Zoning
Zoning districts, use table and provision, parking,
signs, rezoning process.
Oct. 11 • Building Construction Permitting
Types of permits needed, permitting process, building
codes.
Nov. 8 • Code Enforcement
Violations and non-conforming uses, who to contact,
penalties and actions.
Dec. 13 • Land Disturbance Permitting
Types of permits needed, permitting process, site codes (buffers, trees, soil erosion,
floodplain, stormwater).
Classes last 90 minutes and begin at 6:30 p.m. Confirmation of registration is sent
by email. It includes notification of class location, which is tentatively set for a meeting
room near City Hall, but will be determined later based on the number of participants.
Chamblee City Clerk
Selected to Serve on
Advisory Council
Marriott Century Center Acquired,
$15M in Renovations Planned
Reprinted from Chamblee Post (August 9, 2016)
I
n a joint venture between Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an
Atlanta-based, private hotel ownership and management company and True North
Management Group of White Plains, N.Y., Marriott Century Center has been acquired as part of a $50.75 million two-hotel deal. The acquisition covers the 282-room
Marriott Century Center in Chamblee and the 226 two-room suite Hilton Phoenix Suites
in Midtown Phoenix, Ariz.
The deal was brokered by Atlanta-based Hunter Hotel Advisors. Robert S. Cole,
HVMG president and CEO said in a statement, “Our management team has extensive
repositioning experience and an aggressive, yet targeted, approach to maximize value
creation within the full-service segment, which now accounts for more than 90 percent
of our total portfolio’s revenue.”
Each hotel will undergo a major renovation program of approximately $15 million to
upgrade property exteriors, public space, back-of-house areas and guest rooms. HVMG
will oversee both renovations which are expected to begin in 2017, the release says.
Schools Back in Full Swing, Watch for Kids
Drivers take extra care during the early morning and afternoon hours when students are on their way to and from school.When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school. Drive slowly and
watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks. Also be
aware of children playing or waiting around bus stops.
Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm signal indicate that a bus is stopped,
and that children are getting on or off. Cars must stop a safe distance away and stay
stopped until the lights stop flashing, the stop sign folds back, and the bus continues.
Chamblee City Clerk
Emmie Niethammer has
been selected to serve
on the Member Services
Advisory Council of
the Georgia Municipal
Association. The council
provides ongoing guidance to the staff on the service needs of
the membership and recommends new
and expanded services that can help cities
operate more efficiently and effectively.
Niethammer was selected based on
her valuable perspective as a city clerk in
metro Atlanta. The council currently includes a mix of about 30 mayors, council
members, city managers and city clerks.
Sanitation
update
Labor Day Holiday Schedule
City offices will be closed Monday,
Sept. 5. If your trash and recycle day is
Monday, it will be picked up on Tuesday,
Sept. 6. All other trash and recycle
pickup days will remain the same.
Reducing Liquid on Garbage
Trucks
Chamblee Public Works has received a
number of complaints about liquid leaking from the garbage trucks. After investigation of the trucks we realize this
liquid is from the actual trash the crews
are picking up. In an effort to reduce this
liquid, we ask that residents refrain from
putting liquid in the garbage. We also
ask that residents close the lids to the
roll carts so that rain does not get into
the trash. Public Works strives to keep
neighborhoods clean.
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 7
City News
Rules of the Crosswalk
T
he city recently installed
four solar power pedestrian cross walk safety
systems. They are at
Peachtree Road at Malone Drive,
Peachtree Road at 5300 Lofts,
Peachtree Road at Vintage Pizza,
and New Peachtree Road at Watkins. The system includes a solar
panel, a sign with LED warning
lights, and rectangular rapid
flash beacons. It can save lives,
reduce accidents and injuries,
and increase yielding rates, but
only if pedestrians use them and
drivers follow the rules of the
crosswalk. They use zero electrical dollars and are federally
approved.
Basic Crosswalk Rules
The driver should stop and remain
stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross
the roadway within a crosswalk when
the pedestrian is halfway to the side of
the roadway where the vehicle is traveling. It’s illegal for drivers to squeeze
by, drive around or cut off a pedestrian
in a crosswalk, even if there’s room.
Remember STOP.
No pedestrian should suddenly leave
a curb or other place of safety and walk
or run into the path of a vehicle that is
so close it’s impractical for the driver
to yield.
Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a
marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of
any other vehicle approaching from the
rear should not overtake and pass the
stopped vehicle.
8 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
A Message from the
Chamblee Traffic Unit
Chamblee Gallery
ICT dedication ceremony
Winning soccer team receiving medals and a trophy at Dresden Park.
Pokemon Go is a hit in Chamblee.
The newly renovated Keswick softball field
What’s Going On?
Besides what you read in the
Signal, how do you know what’s
going on? Here’s where to look:
Social Media Accounts
City of Chamblee
Chamblee Police Department
Chamblee Parks and Rec
@chambleega
@chambleeparksandrec
@downtownchamblee
Hashtags
#chambleega
#downtownchamblee
Chamblee Websites
chambleega.gov
downtownchamblee.com
Chamblee Connect
Mobile App
Chamblee Connect, the city’s
official mobile app, makes it
easier to access the city information you most care about.
Submit and track requests for
concerns like potholes or fallen
tree limbs. Download the Chamblee Connect in the Google Play
or iTunes App stores.
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 9
Spotlight
An inside view of Chamblee’s summer camp
and what they do to add value to the city
Record High for Chamblee Camp
C
hamblee Parks and Recreation’s annual nine-week
summer camp was visited by 60 campers, ages 6-12,
each week from June to July. That’s a whopping total of
540 campers!
Chamblee
campers enjoyed
crafts, friendly
competitions,
and spectacular
excursions all
summer long.
The “Reptile Gang” came to visit.
10 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
Campers were divided into groups based on their age and participated in a wide
variety of activities everyday at Keswick Park including arts, crafts, games, programs,
sports, and swimming. Some of the undertakings included science experiments,
Field trip to Legoland
tie-dyeing t-shirts, constructing characters
with fuse beads, and making silly putty.
Campers competed in friendly competitions
like potato sack races, three-legged races,
water balloon tosses, relay races, tug of war,
wheelbarrow races and egg runs.
This year’s Wednesday field trips were bigger and better than ever. During the outing
to Express Jet Airlines campers got to see a
passenger jet up close and personal alongside
flight attendants and pilots. The Sky Zone
indoor trampoline park offered open jumping, SkySlam basketball, and ultimate dodge
ball. Campers were able to jump and play games with other visiting summer camps and
enjoy lunch in the massive park.
There were also the weekly swim visits to Dyanamo Swim Club which allowed
campers to cool down after a long week of camp. Other excursions included riding
rides at Legoland Discovery Center, bowling at Bowlmor Lanes, touring inside the
Chamblee Police Station, and sliding down the “Ultimate Summer Water Slide.”
d
Field trip to Express Jet airlines
Legoland
Sky Zone
Bowlmor Lanes
Campers with Officer J.J. Davis
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 11
Community News
Chamblee Home Is Certified ‘Zero Energy Ready’
A
custom-built home on Loveland
Terrace in Sexton Woods is
one of the first certified Zero
Energy Ready Homes in the
state of Georgia. As defined by the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) program,
a Zero Energy Ready Home offers “a
whole new level of home performance,
with rigorous requirements that ensure
outstanding levels of energy savings,
comfort, health, and durability.”
Zero Energy Ready Homes are at least
40-50 percent more energy-efficient than
a typical new home, according to DOE.
Certified homes are third-party verified to
meet high standards for indoor air quality,
efficient HVAC design, water conservation, ENERGY STAR appliances and
fixtures, as well as numerous other bestin-class building science practices.
As the name indicates, the addition of
a renewable energy system (such as solar
panels) would allow a Zero Energy Ready
Home to offset all or most of its annual
energy consumption. The home in Chamblee does not yet have such a system but is
designed to make the addition of a system
12 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
simple in the future, as the cost of residential solar, wind and geothermal continues
to drop.
The 3,764 -square-foot home was built
by the Imery Group, which specializes in
healthy, durable, energy-efficient homes
in metro Atlanta and Northeast Georgia.
Imery Group is one of only two builders in
Georgia that have certified homes under
the DOE ZERH program since it launched
in 2013. This will be Imery Group’s fourth
ZERH-certified home.
West Nile Virus
A mosquito collection from a DeKalb County Board of Health’s sampling station,
located in the Ashford Park area, tested positive for West Nile virus.
While most people infected with West Nile virus (WNV) have no symptoms or experience mild flu-like symptoms, it can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in some.
The chance that any one person will become ill from a single mosquito bite is low. The
risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old, although people
of all ages can become ill.
The easiest and best way to avoid West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites. While
the potential for WNV transmission exists throughout the metro area, this WNV positive collection does indicate a higher risk at this time in this area. Please use the following precautions and remind your neighbors, friends and coworkers to do the same.
• Apply insect repellent. DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), picaridin, oil of lemon
eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective repellents recommended by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. For more information visit cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/index.html.
y’
• When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks. Clothing may also be
treated with permethrin.
• Use extra care when mosquitoes are most active, particularly from dusk to dawn.
“We’re proud to bring our clients’ vision
for this home into existence. The contemporary design will be an amazing setting
for family life,” Imery Group CEO Luis
Imery said. “It will be a healthy home, and
one that helps provide financial stability as
the costs of water and energy increase in
the decades ahead.”
Imery Group specializes in healthy,
durable efficient custom homes in metro
Atlanta and Northeast Georgia. In 2014,
Imery Group won a Housing Innovation
Award from the U.S. Department of Energy for a zero energy home in the Serenbe
community south of Atlanta that’s featured
in a case study on the DOE website.
In addition to best-in-class guarantees
for workmanship, materials and defects,
Imery Group also offers unique warranties on energy usage and comfort in new
homes. Learn more at imerygroup.com.
The DeKalb County Board of Health is aggressively working to prevent transmission
of West Nile virus or any additional mosquito-borne viruses, including chikungunya
and Zika. Program technicians will be in the area providing additional mosquito control
services, including applying larvicide and investigating for mosquito breeding sites. The
larvicide product, metheprene, will keep mosquito larvae from developing into flying,
biting insects.
Along with the larvicide treatment, it is important to eliminate any containers and
other removable breeding sites that may hold water for five or more days. Some items
such as bird baths can be dumped and rinsed twice a week, but do need continual attention. Also, gutters should be cleaned and checked to make sure they drain properly.
For more information about West Nile virus, visit cdc.gov/westnile and/or dekalbhealth.
net/envhealth/west-nile-virus.
Volunteer at Senior Connections
You’re never too young to start volunteering!
Senior Connections, a non-profit agency in Chamblee is seeking volunteers to pack and deliver Meals
on Wheels for homebound seniors. Volunteers are
needed Monday–Friday. For more information visit
seniorconnectionsatl.org/volunteer or contact Allison
Glass at [email protected] or 404488-6167.
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 13
Community News
assistance League of Atlanta
“Volunteers Work for Free, But They Do Not Work
for Nothing”
By: Claudia Eva Colichon, communications intern
A
couple of weeks ago, as I walked
through the amazingly organized
Attic Treasures thrift store on
Broad Street, I was greeted by one
of the 250 Assistance League of Atlanta
(ALA) volunteers that have helped more
than 57,000 children and adults in need. In
2015, board members donated more than
8,250 hours of their time to the store.
That same day I met two of ALA’s past
presidents, Marie Drake and Tobi Cohen,
who assured me that, “These volunteers
work for free, but they do not work for
nothing.”
ALA is committed to serving adults and
children in need with the eight programs
that they successfully run: Bears for
Children, Operation School Bell, Links
to Education, New Beginnings, Shepherd
Center Patient Support, Outreach, Waste
Not, and Wee Help. Each is aimed at different groups within the community and
surroundings.
As I chatted with Marie Drake and Tobi
Cohen, one of the programs that captured
my attention was Operation School Bell.
Through this program Assistance League
of Atlanta manages to provide a week’s
worth of new clothing, uniforms, jackets,
socks, underwear, health kits and shoe
vouchers to more than 12,000 elementary
school children in need in DeKalb, Fulton,
and Atlanta Public Schools. The nonprofit
organization is certain that new clothes
increase these kids’ self-confidence and
motivation to do well in school.
The cost of a week’s elementary school
clothing is $66.50 and includes four polo
shirts, two pairs of uniform pants, a sixpack of socks, a six-pack of underwear, a
jacket, belt, personal hygiene kit, and shoe
voucher.
Over the past 34 years, Chamblee has
had the pleasure to have the Assistance
League of Atlanta in our community. ALA
is part of a national non-profit organization that is determined to give children
14 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
and adults who are down on their luck, a
chance.
Attic Treasures is ALA’s primary
source of income, and all sales go to fund
their programs. If you want to help this
nonprofit organization, you can donate
gently-used clothing or household goods,
at the donation door of their thrift shop
located at 3534 Broad Street, Chamblee,
GA 30341, or go to their website and click
the “Donate Now” key.
Attic Treasures is open from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday with
extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7 p.m.
Assistance League of Atlanta is a 501(c)
(3) charitable organization and donations
are tax deductible. For details on each
program visit their website at assistanceleagueatl.org. For membership information, call 678-643-1202 or email
[email protected].
Onion Man Theater Opens
Onion Man Productions began
producing plays
in Chamblee in
June at its new
space in the Plaza
Del Sol Shopping Center, 5522
New Peachtree
Rd. Creator and
Artistic Director James Beck
says, “Onion Man
is thrilled to be
opening this new
theatre space. It
is great to call
Chamblee our
theatre home. It has taken a lot of work to
get to this point, but we look forward to
providing high quality entertainment for
the people of Chamblee and the surrounding neighborhoods.” Beck grew up in the
area and graduated from Dunwoody High
School in 1983.
In previous years, Onion Man’s signature theatre event, Summer Harvest,
was only open to Georgia playwrights.
This year the shows feature writers from
all over the country and will include one
writer from England. Onion Man has also
expanded its Summer Harvest collection
of plays, creating
three different
shows, or collections. One new
collection has
been produced
each month of
the summer.
As with past
shows, all the
plays are written to share a
particular setting. This year
the plays are set
lakeside – either
on a dock or on
the back porch
of a lake house. Each show will be feature
a mix of comedic and dramatic 10-minute
plays.
Founded in 2009, the company has
produced a yearly collection of original
10-minute plays by local playwrights
called the Summer Harvest. Previously,
Onion Man produced shows from Lionheart Theatre Company’s space in Norcross.
Visit onionmanproductions.com, find
them on Facebook, or email james@
onionmanproductions.com for more
information.
Save the Date
Holiday Parade Dec. 11
On Sunday, Dec. 11, the city and Plaza
Fiesta are partnering to make the holidays brighter by hosting a holiday parade
from Plaster Road to Buford Highway
at Plaza Fiesta. Find more information
on entering a float or volunteering at
chambleega.gov.
Downtown
Businesses Come
Together for Soiree
Hello Gorgeous Boutique hosted
its inaugural Summer Soiree in
June. It was an evening in which
residents and business owners
welcomed summer with art, music, fashion, sips and snacks. Hopstix Brewery, a soon-to-be-open
brewpub in Chamblee, brought
samples of some of their brews.
The soiree also featured music by
Chamblee resident Scott Cruce.
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 15
Community News
Maison Robert
Closes Its Doors
After 39 years in business, Chamblee’s Maison
Robert closed its doors for the last time on July
14, Bastille Day. Maison Robert Chocolates has
been in business for more than 39 years and has
been located in the mid-city district of Chamblee since 2009. In honor of the business and the
family’s impact on the community, July 14 was
declared “Maison Robert Day” in Chamblee.
Daughter Katia has been the owner responsible
for running Maison Robert for the past seven
years. She decided to close the doors to cut down
on her commute and spend more time with family.
“I know how lucky I am to have had the past
few years working alongside my parents here,”
said Katia. “We thank you all for your patronage.
You have followed us to three different locations
and dealt with our menu changes. You have talked
about us around town and because of that we
have rarely had the need to advertise. This decision was not easy and has not been done lightly.”
BUHI CIRCULATOUR
continued from page 1
Bakery, a Korean bakery and café; Bambu, which specializes in
Vietnamese dessert beverages; Hong Kong Bakery, a Chinese
bakery; and ZenTea, a tearoom.
The August tours featured classic summertime favorites from
Colombian restaurant Las Delicias de la Abuela, Filipino desserts from New Manila Mart, Vietnamese appetizers and drinks
from Pho Bac, Chinese dishes from Chef Liu, and Mexican refreshments from Las Paletas Loca. Also featured in August were
dishes and treats that are wrapped, including food from Hong
Kong, El Salvador, Bangladesh, Mexico, and Northern China.
We Love BuHi envisions a livable, lovable, inclusive Buford Highway corridor and seeks to realize the vision through
creative and collaborative events and activities. The Chamblee
Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is sponsoring tours
that link BuHi and Downtown Chamblee as well.
For information on the tours, contact event organizer Marian
Liou, [email protected]. For information on Downtown
Chamblee and the DDA, visit downtownchamblee.com.
16 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
La Señal
Noticias de la Ciudad
Reducir Liquidos en los
Camiones de la Basura
El departmento de trabajos publicos
de Chamblee a recibido una cantidad
de quejas debido al liquido que cae del
camion de la basura. Despues de investigaciones, concluimos que el liquido que
cae del camion proviene de la basura que
recoge nuestro personal. En un esfuerzo
por reducir este liquido, les pedimos a
nuestros residentes que no tiren liquidos
en la basura y que no dejen las tapas del
basurero abiertas – la lluvia suele juntarse
dentro de los basureros. El Departamento
de Trabajos Publicos agradeze su ayuda
para mantener limpia nuestra comunidad.
Departamento de
Desarrollo 101
El Departamento de Desarrollo de Chamblee esta trabajando para educar a los
residentes y dueños de locales de la ciudad
de Chamblee sobre nuestros codigos de
construccion, permisos y zonificacion.
Si usted desea asistir a clases gratuitas
en español, por favor comunicarse con
Claudia Eva Colichon, correo: ccolichon@
chambleega.gov.
Eventos
Noticias de la comunidad
BUHI Carretilla
W
e Love Buhi presentara tres tours en donde podras
disfrutar de las distintas delicias culinarias y de la
conectividad que ofrece Buford Highway. El evento
de nombre The Buford Highway CirculaTour tiene
fechas en :
Agosto 13 – donde podras degustar platos del restaurante
Colombiano, Las Delicias de la Abuela, y distintos restaurants
Chinos, Vietnamitas, Filipinos, y refrescos de La Michoacana
Loca.
Agosto 28 – degustaras platos de Hong Kong, El Salvador, Bangladesh, Mexico y el
Norte de China.
Los tickets que incluyen un paseo en la carretilla con guias, y degustaciones de los
distintos restaurantes. Ven y disfruta de un momento agradable, lleno de camaraderia.
Los tickets estan a la venta en welovebuhi.com.
Noticias de la comunidad
Cortejo Festivo –
Guarde Esta Fecha
El Domingo, el 11 de Diciembre, Plaza Fiesta y la
Ciudad de Chamblee colaborara para hacer un desfile
que dara inicio en Plaster Rd. y terminara en Buford
Hway – Plaza Fiesta. Para mas informacion visitenos en
chambleega.gov.
Informacion sobre el Virus del
Oeste del Nilo
La mayoria de las personas infectadas con este virus no muestran sintomas
y si los muestran, los sintomas son parecidos a la gripe, pero en otros casos
el virus puede ser mortal. El riesgo aumenta para las personas mayores de
50 años. Use estas precauciones como prevencion:
Taste of Chamblee
• Aplique repelentes, aceite de eucalipto de limon y picaridin.
Preparate para complacer tu paladar. El
Primero de Octubre, Chamblee tendra el
festival mas grande desde el 2008. Tendremos banda en vivo, comida, y zonas para
niños. Ven y disfruta de los distintos sabores locales que son encontrados en Chamblee. Celebra con nosotros un dia lleno de
delicias culinarias de nuestra ciudad.
• Cuando sea posible utilize camisas de mangas largas, pantalones largos, y
medias.
• Sea cuidadoso cuando los mosquitos son mas activos entre el amanecer y
el atardecer.
Para mas informacion visite cdc.gov/westnile.
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 17
Events
F
TA S T E O
IT
COMMUN
FOOD &
AL
Y F E S T IV
Get a Taste of Chamblee
P
repare your taste buds and save the date!
On Saturday, Oct. 1, Taste of Chamblee
returns to downtown Chamblee from
5-9 p.m. The food festival features live
music, local fare and a family-friendly kid zone.
Elaine Clark
Center’s
Hustle for
Hope 5K
18 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
Event entry is free. Participants can purchase tickets to enjoy food
and beverage sample portions from many of the area’s best restaurants. Live music will begin on the stage at City Hall at 5 p.m., so
stick around after you satisfy your appetite!
Taste of Chamblee has been one of Chamblee’s largest festivals
since 2008. This year’s event will be hosted by the City of Chamblee, and will celebrate the diverse local flavors that can be found
throughout our community.
The family-friendly Hustle for Hope races will be held Saturday, Oct. 29, at Keswick Park in Chamblee. The
races include a 5K at 10 am, 1.5 Mile Fun Run at 10: 10 am and, new this year, a Diaper Dash at 11 am and
Toddler Trot at 11:15 am. Pre-registration is encouraged and will guarantee a t-shirt. Entry is $30 with a $5
increase on Oct. 22. Register at elianeclarkcenter.org or runsignup.com. Day-of registration begins at 9 am.
The Elaine Clark Center experienced the loss of Peter Joyce earlier this year and the race will be in his
honor. Peter was a vibrant child with a limitless capacity for joy that he shared with all. He was a charmer,
always quick with a smile or hug. Peter left a huge impact and his legacy will continue for years.
Proceeds from the Hustle will benefit the Frank Clark Memorial Scholarship Fund that enables children
and young adults (6 weeks to 22 years old) with special needs to receive support services vital to their
optimal development.
To sign up for a volunteer shift, or to become a sponsor, please contact Event Coordinator Christy
Murray ([email protected]).
Dynamo Swim School
offers year-round
swimming lessons
in the City of Chamblee




Dynamo Swim Club


3119 Shallowford Rd. • Chamblee, GA 30341
770-457-7946
Classes are ongoing – register online at
dynamoswimschool.com
DynaBabies (6-36 mos) • Preschool (3-5 yrs)
Grade School (6-14 yrs) • Adult (15 yrs and up)
Indoor Heated Pool • Year-Round Lessons
Open lap swim • Water Fitness Classes
$15 OFF
Bring in this ad for $15 off one session
of swimming lessons.
This offer may not be combined with any
other offer or coupon. Expires 05.01.15
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 19
Events
Halloween is right around the corner,
which means it’s almost time for Chamblee’s Halloween Spooktacular at Keswick
Park. The event will be held on Saturday,
Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Activities will
include a costume contest for all ages, a
spooky haunted house, hay rides, games, a
cupcake walk, and more! Put on your best
costume and see if you’re brave enough to
make it through this year’s haunted house!
If you’re interested in sponsoring an
event or volunteering, contact Chris Madden, [email protected].
Harvest Festival Oct. 15
Saturday, October 15 • Noon- 6 pm
Interactive College of Technology, 5303 New Peachtree Rd.
Our second autumn arts and crafts festival features a wide
variety of unique handmade items from artists and craftsmen
as well as fall fun for the entire family. Admission to Harvest
Festival is free; food and beverages will be sold on site. The
festival is organized by the City of Chamblee’s Main Street
Program. Visit chambleega.gov for more details.
20 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 21
25
18
28
Yoga / gentle, 5 pm,
Community Building
Yoga 1 / 2, 6:15 pm,
Community Building
P.R.I.D.E Driving Class,
6-8 pm, Civic Center
Downtown Development
Authority Meeting,
6:30 pm, City Hall
Conference Room
Yoga / gentle, 5 pm,
Community Building
Yoga 1 / 2, 6:15 pm,
Community Building
29
22
City Council Work
Session, 6 pm,
Civic Center
Chamblee Chamber
Breakfast, 7:30 am,
Civic Center
21
15
Yoga / gentle, 5 pm,
Community Building
Yoga 1 / 2, 6:15 pm,
Community Building
Breakfast Club, 11:30 am,
Civic Center
Court, 6 pm, Civic Center
Recreational Advisory
Committee, 7 pm,
City Hall Conference Room
8
1
14
27
City Council Meeting,
7:30 pm, Civic Center
26
20
Court, 6 pm, Civic Center
Development 101 ClassZoning, 6:30-8 pm
Court, 6 pm, Civic Center
19
13
12
Yoga / gentle, 5 pm,
Community Building
Yoga 1 / 2, 6:15 pm,
Community Building
Court, 6 pm, Civic Center
ARB-Regular Meeting,
7-9 pm, City Hall
Conference Room
Labor Day,
City Offices Closed
Main Street Committee
Meeting, 6:30 pm,
City Hall Conference Room
11
7
6
5
4
30
23
16
9
2
WEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAY
TUESDAY
SUNDAYMONDAY
Calendar SEPTEMBER2016
BUHI Trolley CirculaTour,
2-5 pm
24
Electronics Recycling
Day, 8 am-noon,
Public Works
17
BUHI Trolley CirculaTour,
2-5 pm
10
3
SATURDAY
chambleega.GOV
22 | CHAMBLEEGA.GOV
24
31
23
30
Development 101 ClassBuilding Construction
Permitting, 6:30-8 pm
Deadline to Register to
Vote
Court, 6 pm, Civic Center
26
P.R.I.D.E. Driving Class,
6-8 pm, Civic Center
Downtown Development
Authority Meeting,
6:30 pm, City Hall
Conference Room
19
Yoga / gentle, 5 pm,
Community Building
Yoga 1 / 2, 6:15 pm,
Community Building
Court, 6 pm, Civic Center
27
Chamblee Chamber
Breakfast Meeting,
7:30 am, Civic Center
20
Chamblee Chamber
Breakfast Meeting,
7:30 am, Civic Center
City Council Work
Session, 6 pm,
Civic Center
13
Breakfast Club, 11:30 am,
Civic Center
Court, 6 pm, Civic Center
Recreational Advisory
Committee, 7 pm,
City Hall Conference Room
12
6
Yoga / gentle, 5 pm,
Community Building
Yoga 1 / 2, 6:15 pm,
Community Building
5
28
21
14
7
WEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAY
Halloween Spooktacular,
11 am-2 pm,
Keswick Park
29
22
Electronics Recycling
Day, 8 am-noon,
Public Works
15
8
Taste of Chamblee,
5-9 pm, downtown
Chamblee
1
SATURDAY
OCTOBER2016
25
City Council Meeting,
7:30 pm, Civic Center
18
11
10
9
17
ARB-Regular Meeting,
7-9 pm, City Hall
Conference Room
Main Street Committee
Meeting, 6:30 pm,
City Hall Conference Room
Buhi Half Marathon &
5K, 7am, Plaza Fiesta
16
4
3
2
TUESDAY
SUNDAYMONDAY
Calendar
chambleega.GOV
Events
Spectacular Scenes
from July 4
Chamblee had another great Fourth of July,
a day of music, fun, games and – of course
–fireworks. The family-friendly event began at 5 p.m. with activities that included
a bike parade, trackless train rides, bounce
houses, and a corn hole tournament.To alleviate parking issues, the city provided a
shuttle from mid-city and Chamblee Plaza.
A nationally renowned Journey tribute
band played until the fireworks display
began. The fireworks did not disappoint.
Drop by!
Boutique: Tues.-Sat. 10 am-6 pm
Café: Tues.-Sat. 8 am-3 pm
Now serving
breakfast and lunch
Clothing, handbags, scarves,
chamblee-signal-bc.indd 1
3400 Malone Dr. Suite 2
Chamblee • 30341
770-569-0534
041516
CHAMBLEE SIGNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 | 23
Presort Std
US Postage
Paid
Permit #552
Atlanta, GA
PUT YOUR
AD IN THE
It’s the best way to
reach more than
10,000
Chamblee households
contact Teresa Taylor to
learn more: 470-395-2309
or [email protected]
DATED MATERIAL SEPTEMBER 2016